Texas won't skip fifth starter, will weigh options

ST. LOUIS -- The Rangers have a day off on Thursday, meaning they could skip the fifth-starter's spot. Manager Jeff Banister does not want to do that.

Thursday will be the Rangers' first off-day after 20 straight games. It will also be their last day off until the All-Star break, so Banister wants a fifth starter to pitch Friday night against the Red Sox.

ST. LOUIS -- The Rangers have a day off on Thursday, meaning they could skip the fifth-starter's spot. Manager Jeff Banister does not want to do that.

Thursday will be the Rangers' first off-day after 20 straight games. It will also be their last day off until the All-Star break, so Banister wants a fifth starter to pitch Friday night against the Red Sox.

"I'd like for that to happen," Banister said. "It has been a long stretch, it would be nice to give everybody an extra day."

The Rangers aren't sure who the fifth starter will be. It won't be Yu Darvish, who is eligible to come off the disabled list on Friday, but isn't going to be ready.

Darvish, sidelined because of soreness in his right shoulder, is throwing long toss, but the Rangers won't decide until they return to Arlington when he is going to throw off a mound again.

"We're not ready to go into fifth gear with him," Banister said. "I think for all of us, including him, the arm got sore and it's probably not something Darvish is used to. It's been awhile since he felt anything, so for him and us to work through it, we're OK with that. He'll let us know how he feels."

The Rangers may consider A.J. Griffin for Friday's start. Griffin is on the disabled list because of inflammation in his right shoulder and is making his third rehab start on Sunday afternoon. He is scheduled to throw 75 pitches in that game. Griffin was 3-0 with a 2.94 ERA in six starts for Texas, but hasn't pitched for the Rangers since May 7.

"We'll let him get through that and see what our options are," Banister said. "We are in a good spot where we can be patient and see where everybody is."

Nick Martinez started on Saturday and allowed three runs in 4 1/3 innings. Two of the runs scored in the fifth inning as Martinez started going through the Cardinals' lineup for a third time.

"The thing with Nick is the challenge comes out of the stretch, more so than the windup," Banister said. "He gets down the hill too quick, the ball gets elevated, the slider isn't as sharp, the breaking ball isn't as sharp. He needs to find that middle ground."

Cesar Ramos followed Martinez to the mound and threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings. Ramos has made four starts for the Rangers this year and is a candidate for the rotation.

Rangers beat

• Derek Holland, who will start Monday night, was 0-1 with a 9.35 ERA in two starts on the road trip and said, "I'm not going to get caught up in that. I have to keep plugging and execute my pitches. It's always just a few pitches that I miss with."

• Saturday's 4-3 win marked the seventh time this season the Rangers have overcome a deficit of three or more runs. They had just eight wins like that combined over the past two seasons.

• As of Sunday, the Rangers' 21 comeback wins were tied with the Nationals for the most in the Major Leagues.

• Pitcher Phil Klein, who appeared in eight games, was claimed off waivers by the Phillies. He was designated for assignment on June 9.